In 1974, Aerosmith released their sophomore album, “Get Your Wings”, a record that would not only solidify their place in the burgeoning hard rock scene, but also lay the foundation for the band’s explosive career that would span decades. Following the modest reception of their 1973 self-titled debut, “Get Your Wings” demonstrated the band’s growing confidence, musical maturity and the development of a distinctive sound that would later become their signature style.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
By the time Aerosmith entered the Record Plant Studios in New York City to record, the band had been working tirelessly to establish themselves as a formidable presence in the rock world. “Aerosmith”, released just a year earlier, introduced the band’s bluesy hard rock sound but did not receive the commercial or critical success the band had hoped for. However, it provided Aerosmith with a platform to tour and refine their craft, particularly under the guidance of producer Jack Douglas, who would go on to become an essential figure in shaping the band’s sound (he produced also the next three, classic albums of the band).
The recording process for “Get Your Wings” was pivotal in Aerosmith’s evolution. Jack Douglas pushed the band beyond their limits, helping them move from the rawness of their debut to a more polished, layered sound. Douglas was crucial in honing the chemistry between the band’s members — Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), and Joey Kramer (drums), ensuring that their individual talents were blended into a powerful, cohesive force. His production style brought out the swagger and raw intensity of the band, elements that would become synonymous with Aerosmith’s music.
“Get Your Wings” showcases a step forward in musical sophistication from Aerosmith’s debut. The album opens with the strutting “Same Old Song and Dance” driven by a punchy riff from Perry and Whitford, and Tyler’s snarling vocals. The horn section, arranged by Douglas, adds a fresh dynamic, giving the track a funky edge that would foreshadow the band’s ability to blend different musical elements seamlessly.
One of the most remarkable tracks on the album is “Lord of the Thighs”, a gritty, hypnotic song that stands out due to its slow-building groove and Tyler’s dark, seductive lyricism. The track’s brooding atmosphere and sexually charged themes showed Aerosmith moving in a more daring direction, both lyrically and musically.
Then there’s “S.O.S. (Too Bad)”, an unapologetically hard-hitting number that captures Aerosmith’s energy and rebellious spirit. The song’s driving beat and raucous guitar work epitomize the unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll attitude that would become a hallmark of the band’s live shows.
Aerosmith also paid homage to their blues roots on their second album. Their cover of Yardbirds’ “Train Kept A-Rollin’” remains one of the standout moments on the record. The band infused the track with a newfound ferocity, turning the blues standard into a high-energy rocker that would become a staple of their live performances for decades. The song captures the synergy between Perry and Whitford as a dual guitar force, with Perry’s lead work taking on a fiery intensity that would come to define his style.
“Seasons of Wither”, one of Tyler’s more introspective compositions, showcases a different side of Aerosmith. A haunting ballad with a melancholy acoustic guitar intro, the song builds into a lush, emotive arrangement that highlights Tyler’s range as a songwriter and vocalist. Its haunting, dreamy feel offers a poignant contrast to the harder-edged tracks on the album and is an example of the band’s versatility.
Upon its release, “Get Your Wings” did not initially reach the level of commercial success that Aerosmith would later enjoy with albums like “Toys in the Attic” and “Rocks”, but it marked a turning point. The album eventually went on to be certified triple platinum in the United States, a sign that it had staying power, with many considering it one of Aerosmith’s finest works.
While reviews at the time were mixed, with some critics still comparing them unfavorably to the Rolling Stones, others recognized the band’s growing potential and praised the album for its mix of blues-rock grit and hard rock swagger. Over time, the album’s stature has grown, and it is now viewed as a pivotal record in Aerosmith’s discography.
The album showcased the band’s ability to blend blues, hard rock, and even a hint of funk, creating a musical identity that would serve them well for decades. Tracks like “Same Old Song and Dance,” “Lord of the Thighs”, “S.O.S. (Too Bad)”, “Seasons of Wither” and “Train Kept A-Rollin’” remain fan favorites and are staples of the band’s live set lists. Perhaps most importantly, “Get Your Wings” set the stage for Aerosmith’s meteoric rise to fame with the release of “Toys in the Attic” just a year later in 1975.
“Get Your Wings” stands as one of the most important records in Aerosmith’s catalog. It captures a band on the verge of superstardom, unafraid to experiment and push their musical boundaries while staying true to their rock ‘n’ roll roots. Five decades later, it remains a defining moment in the history of one of America’s greatest hard rock bands.
© Bob Gruen/www.bobgruen.com
Trivia!
- “Get Your Wings” was released on March 15, 1974.
- Their record label, Columbia, had wanted the band to work with Bob Ezrin, who was also a producer with Alice Cooper. It was Ezrin who introduced the band to Jack Douglas. Ezrin might have shown up three or four times, but only to make suggestions, like bringing in additional musicians to augment Aerosmith’s sound.
- Three singles were released from the album, but none reached the charts.
- Aerosmith started recording the album in December 1973.
- When the group began the recording sessions, several of the songs were already written. “Get Your Wings” contained stuff the five guys had been working on at their apartment on Beacon Street in the summer of 1973.
- “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” means “Same Old Shit”.
- “Seasons of Wither” is Joe Perry’s favorite Aerosmith ballad.
- “Lord of the Thighs” was lyrical wise based on the unsavory characters near their hotel on Eighth Avenue. According to Tyler, the lyrics of this song came from the seedy area where they recorded the album. It was about a pimp and the wildlife out on the street. The song’s title was a pun on the famous William Golding novel “Lord of the Flies”.
- The song “Pandora’s Box” was originally written by Joey Kramer. The clarinet at the start of the track is a union engineer playing “I’m in the Mood for Love”.
- Session guitarist and member of Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner, plays the guitar solo on “Same Old Song and Dance” and also contributes guitars along with Steve Hunter to “Train Kept A-Rollin'”.
- For “Train Kept A-Rollin'”, the group desired to capture a live version of the song, but Jack Douglas persuaded them to record a studio version instead. The song was recorded in two parts, with the second half featuring a faux-live sound.
- Douglas insisted that Tyler use his natural singing voice on the record.
